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About Me

I am a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. I have always enjoyed needle arts and have been a quilter, and a teacher of quilting, for the past twenty years. I have periodically nurtured a small pattern business which I will introduce to this blog over time.

Friday, December 28, 2012

For Love

Well, hello. I have not blogged for quite awhile but now that the holidays are somewhat behind us I have decided to check in again. I want to share something about the women in my family. We all seem to have a creative bent. My mother, Dorothy Jewell Bates Wareham had a talent for crochet. She never learned to use a pattern but that did not stop her. A mother with ten children she made sure each and everyone of her children owned an afghan made with her own hands. Her sister Verna Bates Sutterfield was an accomplished artist. Another sister, Vera Bates Epperson also had a talent. Aunt Vera made her girls wedding dresses. She was able to design these dresses herself. Because of their wonderful examples I was able to explore my own options. I am the oldest of ten children and as soon as I was able I would go to the local dime store and choose a baby sacque or dress ready to embroider. Over the years I have dabbled in many crafts. Today I limit myself to embroidery, cross stitch and especially quilting. My sister Kathy makes gorgeous wreaths. I will share one soon. My daughter, Kelly is continuing the tradition. She is a wonderful cook, she makes cheer bows for her daughter as well as the team, she has been the wardrobe mistress for several local productions, often making the costumes and she crochets.

The coaster above is designed to hold the cup below.

This is Fireside Coffee. Add three to four teaspoon sof mix to hot wate rand stir with a candy cane. Yumm.

This darling pincushion was also made by my daughter. Lovely don't you think? She makes these to sell on her Etsy account which you can access by clicking on the pink cup cake on the left or the Etsy
emblem on the right.

Below is the snowflake pennants she also made for me. I love this as it added just the right touch to my holiday.

Above you see my almost finished snow flake cake. I found the original recipe in Southern Living magazine. My version is not as pretty I think but so good. A little time consuming but worth every moment. The snow flakes are made of fondant. They are painted with a small amount of vodka and then edible glitter finishes the look.

I wanted to write this post because I have a feeling that you might feel the way I do when someone sits down and sets out to make something just for me. It touches me in a way I will never forget. The work above is my daughters but I am one of the blessed when it comes to friends. and family. I hang out with such talented women. You know what I bet you do too. Don't give up on me, I think I will become creative again soon. After all it snowed some today. That just might mean I will be stuck at home a little more with my quilt frame beckoning in the corner. I hope you will share your story of creativity with me and others who come to see if I am still around. Warmly, Nadine

We do check and we do love to hear. Even those who look and do not blog. I'm sure You are a blessing to many who never write. I am a quilter but the water skiing post made tears of happiness. Xo thanks for blogging.

I think your cake turned out very well! I don't bake sweets any more (with a diabetic in the family). I didn't realize you were the oldest of 10 children! Wow! I think it is great that you are teaching at BOTP. The blocks for next year look great.Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2013.Hugs,Margaret

I can testify that the snow flake cake was tasty, tasty, tasty. The chunk you sent home with us was eaten right away, although Kelly and Libby say they didn't get any. I don't see how that could be true....